Make sure your child is ready for school

Children entering preschool, kindergarten or seventh grade and those enrolling in a Tennessee school for the first time should receive the immunizations listed below. Parents must also provide their child’s school with a state immunization certificate, which documents the vaccinations, before the first day of school.

Vaccines and immunization certificates are available at your pediatrician’s office or the Knox County Health Department. To see if your child has proof of the required vaccines, you may contact the medical office or clinic where your child receives vaccinations, or you may call 865-215-5150.

To have your child vaccinated at the health department, please call 865-215-5070 to schedule an appointment. To save time at the appointment, you may complete this online registration form. At the appointment, please bring your (parent/guardian’s) photo ID, insurance card and your child’s vaccination record. Most insurance plans cover preventive services such as vaccines, but parents are encouraged to confirm this with their insurance provider prior to the appointment. Vaccines are available to children who do not have insurance at no cost. There is a minimal fee for administration. Appointments are available at each KCHD location:

Main Offices and the Travel and Immunization Clinic, 140 Dameron Avenue, 865-215-5070

Teague Clinic, 405 Dante School Road, 865-215-5500

West Clinic, 1028 Old Cedar Bluff, 865-215-5950

Tennessee’s vaccine requirements follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Childhood immunizations are vital in protecting children from potentially serious diseases. The CDC estimates vaccinations will prevent more than 21 million hospitalizations and 732,000 deaths among children born in the last 20 years. In addition, vaccines are widely considered one of the most well-researched and safe medical interventions available. In fact, data show that the current U.S. vaccine supply is the safest in history.

Immunization requirements by grade:

Day care, Pre-school or Pre-kindergarten

(Infants entering child care facilities must be up to date at the time of enrollment and are required to provide an updated certificate after completing all of the required vaccines due no later than 18 months of age.)

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)

Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV)

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (1 dose of each, normally given together as MMR)

Varicella (1 dose or credible history of disease)

Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) – age younger than 5 years only

Hepatitis B (HBV)

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – age younger than 5 years only

Hepatitis A – 1 dose, required by 18 months of age or older

Kindergarten

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)

Hepatitis B (HBV)

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR)

Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) – final dose on or after the 4th birthday

Varicella (2 doses or history of disease)

Hepatitis A (total of 2 doses, spaced at least 6 months apart)

Seventh Grade

Tetanus-diptheria-pertusis booster (Tdap)

Verification of immunity to varicella (2 doses or credible history of disease)

With your child starting seventh grade, this is also a great opportunity for him/her to get vaccinated for human papillomavirus (HPV). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all kids who are 11 or 12 years old to get two shots of HPV vaccine six to twelve months apart. HPV is a very common virus. About 14 million people, including teens, become infected with HPV each year. Most people with HPV never develop symptoms or health problems. Sometimes, however, HPV infections will last longer, and can cause certain cancers and others diseases. HPV vaccine is cancer prevention. Click HERE to learn more about HPV and why your soon-to-be seventh grader needs HPV vaccination.

New Students to Tennessee Schools

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, normally given together as MMR)

Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) (final dose on or after the 4th birthday)

Varicella (2 doses or credible history of disease)

Hepatitis B (HBV)

New students entering grades other than 7th grade are not required to have Tdap

Full-time Tennessee college students

Measles, mumps, rubella (2 doses of each, normally given together as MMR): if born on or after January 1, 1957 only

Varicella (2 doses or credible history of disease): if born on or after January 1, 1980 only

Meningococcal – At a minimum of 1 dose at 16 years of age or greater if enrolling in public institution for the first time and under 22 years of age and living on-campus housing; private institutions set their own requirements for this vaccine

Alternative proof of immunity for certain diseases

A positive serology (year of test documented) is acceptable as an alternative to immunization for measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B or varicella. For varicella, documentation of provider diagnosed with varicella or provider-verified credible history of disease given by a parent or guardian is also acceptable. By documenting a history of the disease, the provider is asserting that he or she is convinced that the child has had chickenpox.

Medical or Religious Exemptions:

Children with medical exemptions must provide their child’s school with documentation from their medical provider. Religious exemptions require a signed statement by the parent/guardian that vaccination(s) conflict with his or her religious tenets or practices.

More information:

For more information about Knox County Schools’ immunization policy, please call 865-594-3735 or visit the Health Services page on the Knox County Schools website at knoxschools.org.

To see if your child has the required immunizations, contact the medical office or clinic where your child receives vaccinations. You may also contact the Knox County Health Department at 865-215-5150 or health@knoxcounty.org.

Main Clinic
140 Dameron Ave,
Knoxville, TN 37917
865-215-5000

Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm

On the first Wednesday of every month (except August), all KCHD offices and clinics are closed in the morning for staff in-service. On these days, the main location, 140 Dameron Ave., opens at 10 a.m. The Teague, 405 Dante Rd., and West, 1028 Old Cedar Bluff, Clinics open at 10:30 a.m.

405 Dante Road
Knoxville, TN 37918
865-215-5500

Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm

On the following dates, the Teague Clinic will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. only:

Oct. 2 -5

Oct. 16 – Nov. 6

Nov. 8

All KCHD offices and clinics are closed in the morning on the first Wednesday of every month for staff in-service. The main location, 140 Dameron Ave., opens at 10 a.m. The Teague, 405 Dante Rd., and West, 1028 Old Cedar Bluff, locations open at 10:30 a.m.

1028 Old Cedar Bluff
Knoxville, TN 37923
865-215-5950

Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm

On the following dates, the West Clinic will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. only:

Oct. 2 -5

Oct. 16 – Nov. 6

Nov. 8

All KCHD offices and clinics are closed in the morning on the first Wednesday of every month for staff in-service. The main location, 140 Dameron Ave., opens at 10 a.m. The Teague, 405 Dante Rd., and West, 1028 Old Cedar Bluff, locations open at 10:30 a.m.

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